The Irish standard., 1887-07-23

come from q race of musicians. several
Of whom are said to have enjoyed d
high professional reputation. He re-
ceived his first instruction from his
father, all accomplished performer on
| the violin. His studies were subse-
quentiy directed by several masters, IN
cluding James Barton. Alexander Lee,
William O'Ro,lrke, aud bandmaster
named Meadows. While still child
Balfe was remarkable for his proficiency
not only as % composer but as an exc
cutant. His first public appearance
was at a concert given Oh June 20.
1877, on which occasion he played the
violin, while polacca from his pen
was rendered under +he superintend-
ence of his Instructor, Meadows. At
| this time he bad numbered but nine
summers. In 1898 the
| YOUNG MUslCIAN's S F.ATHER DIED,
and just about that tinie an eccentric
| relative Of bis mother, allo had an}assed
& large fortune in the West Iudjes, Of
| fered to adopt him as a son, Oh condi~
ton that he should live with him
abroad This proposal Balfe declined,
preferring TO stick TO his profession and
see what he could do in London, which
was then. as now, the place of promise
to enthus' astic genius. Accordingly we
find him, in January, 1925, in london,
an arlicled pupil, for term OF seven
years, to Horn, 81 singer Of repute.
About this time he received valuable
instruction from Carl Friedrich: q tlcr-
oughiy accomplished artist, who then
occupied the position Of orgaDist OF IS.
Georges Chapel, Windsor
! Du,ing the troubles and tljsappoint-
| ment of Iris period Of his life, 'alfe
was not unmindful Of his mother, whom
he supported out of his slender earnings
| as violinist in the orchestra of Dru1y
Lane Tl,eateE and the oratoria. "When
he was about nineteen" says an anony"
NOUS biographical writer, finding tIat
his voice was developing the pure
quality for which it was afterwards so
remarkable, he was induced to try his
| fortune on the operatic stage. and ap-
peared as Caspar, in a Rarbed version
of Weber's der FreischutZ T" For
tuflately for the cause Of music this ex-
perence WAS q decided failure, and
| Balfe returned ca London, where better
| luck awaited him.
| In short. the struggling youth,
| through a MIR. Heath. was introduced
I! to an italian count named Marrara, who
, was SO struck by a real or fanclfG like
ness between the irish artist and q re.
Gently lost sou that he at once proposed
to
| TAKE BALFE WITH HIM TO ITALY
This Was done notwithstanding the ezss-
horta5ions Of Cherumbini, who con
was anxious tilat he should make Paris
tbs plaf Of his study and training, for
some time at least
In Rome Rafe lived FOR several
uionths vith his kind patron, and stud
led under l'aer. IN 1926 the Count re-.
turned to England. Balfe then pro-
caeded to Milan, still under the protec-
ton OF bis fllerd, where he enjoyed tha
advantage OF receiving tuitions from
CALI and Fredprici.
In 1875 we End him appearing in
Paris under the name Of BaI:i. The per-
formance Was the " "Barbiere di SAvjg-
lia" About this time he renewed his
acquaintance with Cherumbini, by
whom he vas presented with au intro
ducticn TO Rnssini. The ensuing seven
years OF SO he passed in Italy engaged
in opPratlc composition and singing.
| Malihran is said to have held O. very
high opinion of
! HIS POWER AS A. VOCALIST;
in company with that most accon1~
plshea Of Drima donnas he used to
sing in La Scala at Milan. Early in
1885 he returned to London, and de-
voted himself to composition. He had
narrled Mdlle. Risen, a German singer.
He had now become great public fay
orite and his success may be said to
have been completely established. The
Light Of Otber Days" from his Maid
OF Artois, - was long the most admired
song to be found in the English Ian
guage. Wonderful works from his pen
followed each other in rapid succession.
He wrote altogether about thirty operas.
Of these "!l 'raimano" is generally con-
sidered by critics az perhaps the grand
est. HIS :. Bohemian Girl" which ap-
peared in 1913. was arranged for per-
formance in almost every European
language. For q period of seven years,
ending in 1852, Balfe occupied the posi-
ton of conductor in Her Majesty's
Theatre, London. After that year he
visited, and was warmly feed in sew
eral portions of the continent of Eu-
rope. In Russia especially he won
golden opinions. as also no small
amount of gains. Returning to Eng
land in 1856, he introduced his elder